Body construction



May 8, 1928.

P. E. BRENEMAN BODY CONSTRUCTION 4 Filed May 21, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR P/N/L E BEE/YEM/I/V ATTORNEY P. E. BRENEMAN BODY CONSTRUCTION May 8, 1928.

Filed My 21, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PAUL E BEE/VEM/IN kTToRNEY May 8, 1928.

P. E. BRENEMAN BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 21. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR P/i UL E. BEE/YEM/IN ATTORNEY May 8, 1928.

P. E. BRENEMAN BODY CONSTRUCTION INVENTOR P/IUL E B/E'E/VfM/I/Y 'ATTORN'EY May 8, 1928.

P. E. BREN'EMAN BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 21. 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Z 5 5-Z INVENTOR PAUL 'E. BEE/VE/Vfl/V ATTORNEY May 8, 1928.

I P. E. BRENEMAN BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 21. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR P/il/L E. BEE/YEMfl/V BY KZORNEY j May 8, 1928. 1,669,370

P. E. BRENEMAN BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 21. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I 20 described by Patented May 8, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL 3. 333mm, OI Dlml'l, KIOHIGAI, ASSIGNOB TO THE STUDEBAKER B- POM'IION, OI SOUTH ID, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OI nw .mnsn.

BODY OOHBTBUCTIOI.

' Application fled lay 81, 1920. Serial Io. 110,680.

This invention relates to automobile bodies, and particularly to the cowl section therefor, the principal object being to provide such a section fabricated completely of metal whereby the same will be strong, relatively light, and when produced in quantities, economical to manufacture.

Anotherobject is to provide a sheet metal cowl section for an automobile body in which the pillars for supporting the windshield and adjacent doors are formed from sheet metal integrally therewith.

Another object is to provide a sheet metal automobile cowl section which may be comletely finished and, with other similarly nished parts, be secured to a sill and roof to make up-a complete body without necessitating further finishing.

Another ob'ect is to form acowl section as first building up two main units therefor, a cowl unit and a pillar unit, and

thereafter securing said units together to effect a single section.

, Another object is to form said cowl unit of a panel and a dash, suitably reinforced, and

provided with flanges for securing the same to a sill, with toe board risers or supports,

and with flanges' for securing the unit as a whole to the post unit.

Another object is to form said pillar unit of sheet metal pillars secured together in spaced relation by cross-members, one of said cross-members providing means for securing said panel to the pillar unit and for rein- J forcing the same, and another of said crossmembers roviding means for supporting a windshield and for imparting added strength and rigidity to the vehicle top, suitable flan es being provided for securing the same to t e body sill and to the roof section.

A further object is to provide pillars as referred to com sed of inner and outer channel sectiona sheet metal members se cured together in similarly disposed and nested relation to form a hollow structure, combined with means for suitably supporting trim sticks and hinges thereon.

The above being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in view.

fill

In' the accompanying drawings which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the present invention, and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several dif ferent views,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a completed automobile body in which a cowl section incorporating the, present invention is employed.

Big. 2 is a perspective view of the complete cowl section ready to be trimmed and then applied to the sill and roof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cowl unit in a state of completion ready to receive the illar unit.

Fig. 4 is a pzrspective view of the pillar unit ready to applied to the cowl unit.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the outer face of the outer member of one of the pilars.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the inner face of the pillar member of Fig. 5. r

Fig. 7 is a section of the pillar outer member of Figures 5 and 6 taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a section of the pillar outer member of Figures 5 and 6 taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the reinforcing and anchoring member used to tie the lower illar cross member to the pillars.

Fi 10 1s a perspective view of the member s own in Fig. 9 but taken from the opposite side thereof.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the member shown in Figures 9 and 10 is secured to the pillar outer member shown in Fig. 6.

Fi 12 is a perspective view, from the inner ce, of the illar inner member before the various rein orcing and attaching parts have been secured thereto.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view, from the outer face, of the member shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the pillar inner member, corresponding to the view 100 shown in Fig. 12, but showing the various reinforcing and attaching parts secured thereto.

Fig. 15 is a rspective view of the member shown in ig. 14 corresponding to the 105 view shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line 1616 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showin the pillar inner and outer members seem tom getlliier in position ready to receive the trim stic Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line 1818 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on the line 19-49 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the mem bers shown in Fig. 17 with the trim stick incorporated therewith.

Fig. 21 is a reduced perspective view of the pillar unit top cross member.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the member hown in Fi 21.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the pillar unit cowl cross-member.

Fig. 24 is a pers ective view of one of the securing nut mem rs incorporated in the member shown in Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary perspective view from the inner face, of an upper corner of the pillar unit, showing the relative positions and means for securing together the pillar, pillar unit top cross-member, and top rail attaching flange.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentar perspective view, from the outer face, of the parts shown in Fi 25.

ig. 27 is a fragmentary perspective view, from the inner face, showing the manner in which the pillar unit cowl cross-member is secured to the illar.

Fig. 28 is a ragmental perspective view, from the outer face, of t e members shown in. Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in whic the pillars are secured to the cowl unit at the point where the pillar unit lower cross-member joins the same.

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary erspective view taken of the same parts and in the same direction as in Fig. 29, showing the drip spout secured in place thereto.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary perspective view from the inside showing the manner in which the cowl section is secured to the sill.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of one of the toe board risers.

Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the dash assembly ready to be secured to the cowl panel.

Fig. 34 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a door hinged to one of the pillars, and showing the manner of securing the end of the door check arm to the pillar upper flange.

In the conventional method of manufacturing automobile bodies, particularly those of the so-called closed type, a frame work, including the roof frame, is built up on the sills to the shape of the completed body, and is then covered by suitable metal panels and roof covering, and thereafter painted, trimmed and otherwise finished. The body, therefore, relies upon the framework for the greater part of its strength and the panels are primarily used as a covering and not as a primary stiffening means. Accordingly the illars are formed as part of the framework and the metal of the panels is extended around them, not as a means of imparting strength thereto, but merely as a finishing covering. Inasmuch as such constructions are built by first forming the framework for the complete body on the sills, and later covering the same. it results that the body must be worked on in a single unit during assembly.

The present invention contemplates an entirely different method of construction whereby the major ortions of the body are built up to nearly nished, or in some cases completed, condition as separate units and thereafter assembled together to provide the completed body. Such a method necessitates elimination of the building up of a framework on the sills, and makes it necessary to include any such framework that may be employed as an integral part of each unit.

In accordance therewith, a cowl section is shown in the accompanym drawing embodying the present invention. This cowl section, which is shown in Fig. 2 in completed condition except for trimming and the addition of various neceasaril removable arts such as the windshiel instrument oard and the like, is such as to be capable of fabrication as a sin 10 unit independent of any other unit, an is capable of ein brought to a finished condition including painting, trimmin etc., before it is assembled to the sills an roof frame with the rest of the units to make up a complete bod T he cowl section shown in Fig. 2 is in turn made up of two major units, the cowl unit as shown in Fig. 3 and the pillar unit as shown in Fig. 4. These units are in turn such that they may be assembled independently of each other and finally assembled together to form the unit shown in Fig. 2 by a comparatively quick and simple operation. It will be apparent that the construction of the section itself is thereby speeded up.

It will be observed from Fig. 4 that the pillar unit is made up of two pillars joined y an upper sheet metal cross member 50 and a lower sheet metal cross member 51. Each pillar in turn is made up of two main parts, an outer member 52 and an inner member 53. The outer member 52 is shown singly in Figures 5 and 6 and comprises a single sheet of metal bent to the sectional sha e shown in Figures 7 and 8, and longitudinally to conform to the curvature or contour of the body at the point where it is to be situated. The surface of the rear face of each pillar is broken by a step 54 to provide a rabbeted edge complementary to the forward rabbeted edit; of the front doors 55, and the metal exten from the outer edfe thereof forwardly as at 56 and as best'in icated in Figures 7 and 8, and then inwardly as at 57, to form the forward face and to completethenerally channel sha section thereof. he inner eda of the orward face 57 above the upper It or moulding line 58 is provided with an extending portion 59 which is adapted to be bent rearwardly to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7 to form the inner face of the pillar as will be presently described. The metal of the outer side face 56 and forward face 57 is stamped to present an outwardly extending bead which serves to continueiin combination with the lower cross mom I 51, the line of the belt 58 across the front of the body. Depressions 60 are formed in one of the stepped portions of the rear face of the member 52 to provide a continuous hinge seat in a single plane. A. supporting bracket member, shown singly in perspective in Figures 9 and 10, and comprising a flat eliptical base or attaching flange part 61 and an extending angularly extending arm 62 is secured to the member 52 by welding or otherwise securing the base 61 against the inner side of the side face 56 with the arm 62 nesting within the belt de ression 58 and projecting out a substantia distance past the ed e thereof for a purpose to be presently escribed.

The inner member 53 which is shown singly in perspective in Figures 12 and 13, is trough shaped in section, as shown in Figures 18 and 19 in combination with the outer member 52, and is of such dimensions as to be capable of nesting within the outer member 52, as is illustrated in the latter figures, up to the step 54, its marginal edges in such position bein flush with the inner edges of the front an back faces of the outer member 52 as is also shown in the latter figures. The result is that when the inner member 53 is thus assembled to the outer member 52 and secured in lace by welding, riveting or the like, a ho low structure is formed which has relatively great strength and resistance to bending but is relativel light in weight. and the members 52 ant 53 may accordingly be materially reduced in sizefrom the size. of the conventional wooden pillars without causing a correspondm reduction of strength and rigidity, and t ereby reduce the size of the ind spot caused by these pillars for the driver of the vehicle of which the body is a part.

The inner member 53 is provided with depressions 63 complementary to and adapted to receive the depressed portions 60 of the outer member 52. Before assembly to the outer member 52, various flan es and other necessary parts are secured to t einner member 52 as will now be described. Adjacent to but spaced from the lower end of the f of which projects "horizontally inwardly therefrom and rovides a flan by which the pillar may securedtotesill65of the. bod of which the pillar is to form a part. hat partof the inner member 53, as well as the outer member 52, which proects below the bracket 64, is formed to prm vide a vertical attaching flange 66 for securement to the outer edge of the sill 65.

The inner surface of the bin seat depressions 63 are backed by a sti ening and strengthenin member 67, shown in section in F1 16, n some cases it may be found desire Ie to add a further strengthening member such as 68 to the outer face, such as is shown in combination with the member 67 and projects outwardly therefrom.

An L-shaped sheet metal plate is welded to the upper end of the inner member 53 with the root of the L in a horizontal plane and the leg in a vertical plane to rovide a horizontal attaching flan e 69 an a vertical attaching flange 70 or the roof rail 71 (see Fig. 34). A U-shaped bracket 72 is welded or otherwise secured to the inner face of the member 53 immediately below the flange 69 to provide means for securi the upper cross-member 50 thereto as wi presently be described. Stra s 73 are also secured to the inner face of t e member 53 and project laterally inwardly therefrom to provide means for securin the vertical tackmg stri 74 in place as wi 1 also be described later. he inner member 53 with the various parts aiiixed thereto as just described is ready for assembly to the outer member 52, which is done as previously described by placing it in nesting relation. in the outer member 52 with its face abutting against the step 54 so as to form a hollow structure, and securing the two members 52 and 53 together in this position by welding or other suitable means. The tacking stri 74 is then laced as indicated in Fig. 20 an the straps 3 are bent around and secured to the same to hold it in place. The extending portion 59 of the outer member 52 is then bent perpendicular to the front face 57 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, which brings its free ed e into ad'acent relationship with the tacking stri 4, thereby to form the inner side face 0 the pillar against which the usual Weatherstrip in the edge of the windshield 75 is adapted to abut to provide an air-tight joint.

The next opfrationis to join the two pillars together y the upper cross-member 50 and the lower cross-member-51. The n per cross-member 50 is made channel shap for strength. and its ends are so shaped, as indicated in Figures: 21,25, and. 26, so asto ill) receive one leg of the U-shaped bracket 72 within its channel and to fit up against the vertical and horizontal flanges and 69 and against the outer and inner illar members 52 and 53 it being prefera l welded along the major points of contact t erewith. Small an le members 7 6 are referably se cured wit llIl the channel of tie cross-mem ber 50, as shown in Fig. 22, to provide means for securing a trim stick or other parts thereto.

The lower cross-member 51 is curved upwardly towards its center to match the contour of the rear end of the cowl and is formed to a half-round shape on its forward face to simulate the upper belt 58 and, in eifect, to form a continuation of the same cross the front of the cowl as indicated in Fig. 28, its free edge being turned towards each other into adjacent but spaced relationship on the rear face. The ends thereof are slipped over the protruding ends of the arms 62 and are Welded thereto as indicated in Figures 27, 28 and 29. A sprout member 77, formed of sheet metal, may be inserted at the point where the cross-member 51 is joined to the pillar, as indicated in Fig. 30, in order to catch any rain or water that may tend to travel down the inner side face 59 of the pillar and direct it into a. suitable trough or other means (not shown) leading to a point outside of the body. The pillar unit as thus described is ready for assembly to the cowl unit.

The cowl unit, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises essentially of a cowl panel 78 and a dash 79. The panel 7 8 is of generally conventional shape and as shown has a belt 80 pressed therein to eflect a continuation of the lower belt line 80 of the body thereinto. The forward edge is slightly depressed to form the conventional hood ledge 81 and the dash 79, (see Fig. 33) which is provided with a forwardly flanged marginal edge 82 is secured within such ledged portion 81 in nested relation therewith and weldgd or otherwise secured in place. The inner side margins of the dash are rear wardly turned as at 83 to strengthen the same and to provide additional means for securing the cowl section to the sill 65 as indicated in Fig. 31. The lower edges of the side portions of the panel 78 are turned horizontally inward to provide flanges 84 (see Fi 2) for securement to the lower face of the $111 65 when assembled thereto. A toe board riser 85 formed from sheet metal, and secured to the dash 79 at its forward and upper end extends rearwardly and downwardly therefrom and terminates in a flange 86 which is adapted to be secured to the sill 65 as indicated in Fig. 31 thereby providing additional means for securing the cowl section to the sill 65. The rear vertied edges of the panel 78 are inwardly turned to provide flanges 87 and the upper rear edge is shaped to fit under the upper belt or moulding 58 of the pillar section when assembled thereto.

The cowl unit as just described is now ready to be assembled to the pillar unit. This is very sim ly done by dropping the pillar unit down Back of the flanges 87 until the lower face of the lower cross member 51 is in contact with the rear edge of the panel 78 in which osition the flanges 87 lie in contacting re ation with the outer face of the pillars and forward of the stepped rear faces of the pillars, in which position the different members are welded along their contacting surfaces thereby to secure them together. If thought necessary, additional bracing or stiffening means, such as the brace 88 extending between each pillar and the dash 79, may be added. In the embodiment shown in F ig. 2, the forward ends of the braces 88 are formed to provide attaching flanges which with the clips 89, (see Fig. 24) which are held between the spaced edges of the lower pillar cross members 51, form means for securing the usual instrument board (not shown) in place.

The section as thus completed may be sanded, etc., and painted, to the final coat if desired, and trimmed as far as is practicable, various parts such as the instrument board, Windshield, etc, being attached if desired, and then the section 50 completed may be secured to the sill 65 by placing the same thereon and securing the various flanges 64, 66, 84 and 86 thereto as previously described. Other sections similarly constructed and finished may be secured to the sills 65 in a similar manner after which the roof may be added and the complete body assembled in this manner, which is considerably quicker, easier and more cconomical than the methods heretofore used.

It is to be noted that in the construction shown the flanges 69 at the upper ends of the pillars are extended rearwardly and outwardly to a marked de ree. This is done so that the pivot pin or bolt that secures the inner end of the door check at 90 (see Fig. 34) to the roof rail 71 may be passed through the flange 69 and thereby allow the greatest part of the shock experienced at this point when the door 55 is swung open to be taken by the metal illar instead of by the relatively weak roo rail, thus utilizing the flange 69 for a double purpose.

Formal changes may be made in the specified embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. In a cowl section for an automobile, a door pillar unit comprising a pair of pillars secured together in spaced relationship by cross members, each pillar comprising an inner and an outer sheet metal member of generally channel-shaped section secured together in nested relation to form a hollow structure, each outer member being provided with an outwardly disposed bead formed therein between its ends, and a supporting member secured within said bead and projecting thereout of for receiving one of said cross members and for being secured thereto.

2. A cowl section for an automobile body comprising a cowl unit and a pillar unit secured together to form an integral structure, said pillar unit comprising pillars secured together in spaced relationship by a cross member, a bead formed on the exterior of said pillars and continued therebetween by said cross member. the panel of said cowl unit abutting against the under edges of said bead and secured to said pillars and said cross member in said abutting relationship.

3. A door pillar for an automobile body, comprising an inner and an outer sheet metal member of generally channel-shaped section, said inner member nesting within and being secured to said outer member to form a hollow structure, and an extending portion on said outer section bent over the open portion of said channel and forming a face of said pillars.

4. A cowl section for an automobile comprising pillars secured in spaced relationship by a cross-member secured thereto between their ends and a panel secured to said cross-member and to said pillars below said cross-member, said pillars each comprising a generally channel-sha ed sheet metal member having an exten ing edge portion above said cross member bent inwardly to .form a face for said pillar, and a drip spout secured to said pillar at the lower end of said extending edge.

5. A pillar for an automobile body comprising an inner and an outer sheet metal member of generally channel-shaped section secured together to form a hollow structure, and metal straps secured to said inner member bent around a tacking strip for holding the same in position.

Signed by me at Detroit, Michigan, U. S. A., this 12 day of May, 1926.

PAUL E. BRENEMAN. 

